Sabrina, Author at The Beauty Look Book

Becca Lips

Becca Lush Lip Colour Balm Review + Swatches

August 22, 2017

Becca launched eight tinted lip balms called the Lush Lip Colour Balm ($22 each). These are creamy tinted balms with a lipstick feel. They have a vanilla scent similar to that of MAC lipsticks which is soft and creamy. Pigment is medium but buildable if you layer and they feel hydrating without feeling heavy or like they’ll slip off the lips. The texture is smooth and they’re comforting on the lips and I like them even in the hot humid weather. My lips have been on a the dry side a bit with the chlorine and salt water from swimming combined with heat – these helped hydrate them significantly after a day’s wear. Lasting power isn’t the best as it is an emollient balm. They’re not going to stay put like a longwear lipstick or liquid/matte lipstick – but they don’t disappear on me quickly and it’s something I don’t mind re-applying.

Color options have a good range from light to deep and they’re all fairly conservative wearable shades. I did have some streaking with the deeper colors as they had a bit of contrast with my natural lip tone and when I swatched these I did have some peeling going on my lips – but it’s something I can fix with more blending.

Colors include:

Cafe Au Lait is a pale peachy beige which looks a bit streaky with one swipe, but add a few more and it smooths out to an impressive level of smoothness, often times I cannot wear such pale colors because they are super streaky, I was really surprised by this one
Ginger Vanille is a soft pink coral, it pulls a bit more coral on most people I’ve seen it on, since I have a lot of olive and yellow, especially when I’m in the sun a lot, it looks a bit more pink on my lips
Almond Fraise is a pretty soft pink rose cream, on me it pulls a little bit cool
Chai Creme is the perfect creamy soft brown pink shade on my lips
Milk Chocolate is a mauve brown cream, this one felt sheerer than the others
Toasted Hazelnut is a deeper brown
Cherry Ganache is a burgundy red, this one had a little bit of streaking with my dry patches
Black Violet was a bit streaky on me as well, but without any dry lips it looks smoother, it’s a purple cream

Lip swatches below on bare lips. The bases I’m wearing include NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in St Moritz, MILK Makeup Flex Concealer in Medium set with Armani Luminous Silk Powder in #4.

Bottom line love and I think the price is reasonable for the amount. Nicely hydrating with good color payoff for a balm. Smooth finish and a delicious scent. For a balm they are on the lightweight side but not weightless – I can definitely feel product on my lips, but since it’s a balm I don’t mind. My favorite is Ginger Vanille but it’s really hard to pick one favorite. If you need more color/pigment then I’d recommend opting for the Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim Lipsticks (even though they are a lot more expensive, review on all shades soon). By comparison the YSL Volupte Tint in Balms have a more glossy finish and emollient feel. As a sheer lip lover I like both – I think for neutrals the Becca has more options while YSL has more brights.

You can find the Becca Lush Lip Colour Balms at Ulta Beauty and Becca Cosmetics.

Balms provided courtesy of Becca for review.

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Chanel

Chanel Fall-Winter 2017 Makeup Collection

August 21, 2017

Chanel is among the first to launch their Fall-Winter 2017 Beauty Collection this year with a California Travel Diary inspired set of colors. So many of you have requested a review and from the items I ordered I’ve found some hits and misses. I’ll say up front the Les 4 Ombres in City Lights is a the highlight for me and one of the prettiest neutral-cool palettes I’ve tried. Based on the color payoff and texture I’ll be looking at Road Movie once it hits counters but for now it appears everything is only available online at Chanel.

Up first is the Palette Essentielle in Beige Clair 150 which has a concealer, highlighter and cream color. All the items in this palette are creams and the one I ordered has a concealer that is definitely too light for me to conceal but it does work as an eye base to even out the lids. I ordered sight unseen so I can’t report on the pigment of the other two, but Beige Clair has a pigmented concealer with a matte finish, a soft medium-sheer light peachy pink cream and a pale white highlighter with sheer but buildable finish. On the face pigment is medium but on the soft side – you can build it for a super natural dewy finish. It’s not too dewy though and I was able to wear all three without it getting greasy looking by late afternoon. For me it’s neither a hit or miss. Quality, pigment and texture are very good. They give me a natural polished glow but based on the color I ordered it’s almost too natural for my skintone.

Up next is the Retractable Dual-Tip Concealer Brush ($38, made in China). I was surprised to find this was made in China according to the box label but it performs exceptionally well. It works to pick up concealer from a pot or the tip of an applicator and the fluffy side works to blend. I personally feel this is best suited for cream shadow and powder like the Tom Ford Cream Powder Duos. For concealer application I like to apply with the sponge tip applicators and either blend with my finger, a beautyblender or the Marc Jacobs The Conceal Brush. The original Chanel Concealer Brush #10 is actually one of the best ones I’ve tried but they didn’t bring this out with the redesign. You can still find the original one at a few select places like Neiman Marcus but I don’t know how long they will be available.

The brush performs well and I really like the dual-ended retractable ends. Still given the number of brushes I own I do feel like I already have ones that do the same trick so I can’t call this a must- have. The convenience factor and packaging style is really well made though.

The eyeshadows in the Les 4 Ombres City Lights and Ombre Premiere Cream in Memory are both gorgeous. The Les 4 Ombres in City Lights looks more on the warm side in the stock photo, in person it looks more neutral, swatched on my olive skin it pulls more cool-toned. Your mileage will definitely vary depending on your skin undertone. If you have pink or fair skin this will definitely not look as cool-toned as it does on me. It has four easy to wear neutral shimmers with excellent pigment and lovely shimmer.

Ombre Premiere in Memory is a stunning bronze shimmer. I can’t wait to wear this all season long. As with the other Ombre Premiere formulas I reviewed lasting power is quite impressive and pretty much budge-proof once you apply and let it set. It has a semi-matte finish but still has a shimmery look to it.

Both aren’t really the most unique colors. They have a very similar vibe to previous launches from Chanel and other brands. As I’m in the middle of moving and travel for the next 2 months I have most of my things in temporary storage and don’t have easy access to pull things for comparison.

For the lips I picked out the neutrals. I had very high hopes for the Rouge Coco in Daylight which is a sheer soft peachy nude and Rouge Allure Ink in Lost – both are just not the best formula-wise. I can make them both work with some blending and layering but they are on the streaky side and with all the other formulas on the market that are pretty much opaque, smooth and flawless I found these to be a disappointment. I will say that this may be due to the fact I have naturally pigmented lips – if you have lighter tones in your natural lip color there may be less contrast and therefore less streaking. I feel like there’s a really good dupe with the Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylos in Believer or Idealist (swatched here) although since I don’t have them to compare at the moment I can’t say which color. I’ve even though I feel the Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim Lipsticks are overpriced I feel the formula is truly excellent and if price isn’t a concern (or price per oz that is), these are definitely superior in formula, pigment and color pay off.

For these Chanel lips, I can make them look smooth with blending but anything that touches the lips after – even if it’s my own lips touching each other makes the color budge and streak. If you have a different experience please share in the comments.

Last but not least are two gorgeous Le Vernis nail polishes. I’ve been in a bit of a nail polish funk for months. Long time readers know I used to be a die hard Chanel and Dior nail polish collector of every single color. These days I feel like I rotate between three colors: Chanel Coralium (swatch here), OPI Be There in a Prosecco (swatched here), and Chanel Organdi (swatch here). The new Le Vernis shades for fall are Chanel Horizon Line which is a soft grey mint color and New Dawn which is a muted dusty lilac. Both are really pretty and have smooth opaque coverage.

A quick look with the collection wearing:

Foundation Chanel Sublimage Le Teint 40
Powder Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder 2
Concealer, cheeks and highlight Chanel Palette Essentielle Beige Clair
Blush Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in First Love
Eyeshadow Les 4 Ombres in City Lights (all four shades)
Brows Diorshow Browstyler in Universal Brown
Lips Rouge Allure Ink in Lost (with 3 layers)
Sweater from Club Monaco

I think the standouts are the eye shadows, both the City Lights quad and Memory cream shadow. The nail polishes are nice subdued shades that have a soft feel without that pastel vibe you usually get with spring launches so I think they’ll be really pretty once the fall season arrives. You can find the entire Fall-Winter 2017 Collection available online at Chanel.com now.

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Lips NARS

NARSissist Velvet Lip Glide Set (Ulta Exclusive)

August 18, 2017

There’s a super cute NARSissist Velvet Lip Glide Set ($45) which is an Ulta Exclusive. It has six new shades which are really perfect for summer but wearable year round. I found this at my local store – they don’t have the full line of NARS but did carry a small selection including this set. The velvet lip glides are minis (same size as the Sephora Give Me Some Nude Lips Set) and I’m beyond thrilled all the colors are new. It comes in a pretty pink box:

Colors include cream colors. All the colors are consistently medium to full coverage with a smooth streak-free finish. Pigment is really good and they have a natural sheen even though they have a velvety finish. I don’t detect any scent in these and they feel comfortable on the lips. Lasting power is medium – they have a similar lasting power to a regular lipstick. I love that the formula feels weightless and doesn’t dry out my sensitive lips.

Rapture a medium soft coral peach
Night Together soft neutral medium pink brown with a hint of plum
Californication cool-toned mauve
Immoral bright pink
Staying Alive vibrant plum
Burning Love is a bright red coral

Full size vs minis and some comparison swatches:

Shown below:

NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Playpen and Bound (review here)
Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme in Slow Burn (review here, love this color and formula)
NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Suck
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick in Chutney (swatched here)

I think the set is a great buy. Colors are very wearable but not boring. Even the brighter ones are easy to wear especially for summer. If you haven’t tried the NARS Velvet Lip Glide formula this is a nice way to try more than one shade without having to buy the full sizes.

You can find the NARSissist Velvet Lip Glide Set exclusively at Ulta Beauty. Have you tried this one yet? What did you think?

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Haircare

Summer Haircare Loves

August 16, 2017

I have an updated hair care routine for summer to share today. Since moving to Florida I’ve been struggling for months to find a good shampoo + conditioner combo. The water here is so different from California and even with a filter in the home, many shampoos and conditioners simply don’t rinse or lather the same. I’ve tried a lot of my tried and true favorites alongside probably at least 15 other formulas and it’s been a real challenge to find something that works. Also with the heat, humidity, chlorine and salt my hair behaves differently. It gets dried out easily but the humidity also means sweat and oils surface so it feels like everything is just a hot mess. For a quick recap on my hair – I have long thick frizz-prone hair. It’s never been colored or highlighted (at least not yet). Many of the styling product favorites remain the same. My current favorites right now listed below.

Shampoo, Conditioners and Rinses

Molton Brown Inspiring Basil and Vetiver Shampoo and Conditioner ($30 each for 10 fl oz) is part of a limited-edition collection Molton Brown created for the Seabourn cruise line. This is my current holy grail duo. I’ve tried at least a dozen other brands and formulas over the past months and nothing compares to this duo for a good wash. It cleanses and leaves the hair feeling super soft and naturally shiny. It has a very soothing soft natural scent. I’m a bit upset it’s limited-edition as I’d love to keep repurchasing this for like FOREVER. I’m stocking up so I’ll be able to have this for a while. The entire Molton Brown x Seabourn Collection is amazing. I highly recommend you check it out.
Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste with Pure Rassoul Clay and Rose Extracts ($53 for 250 ml) is seriously an amazing volumizing past. You apply it to dry hair and scalp, add water and it foams up into a volumizing paste that feels airy and thick at the same time. It leaves the hair bouncy and full without any added weight.
Oribe Cleansing Creme for Moisture Control ($46 for 8.5 oz) isn’t shown because I’ve run out twice since moving to Florida. It was a favorite in California and is still a favorite here in Florida. I use this about 2 to 4x a week switching it out for regular shampoo/conditioner. It’s perfect to restore dry hair to a more natural balanced state.

Styling Sprays

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo ($22 to $44) is something I keep in purse occasionally in the smaller size as a refresher. I wash my hair everyday, sometimes twice a day – it’s something I’ve always done and with the summer humidity I think it’s an absolute must. I tend to use dry shampoo as a refresher to absorb oil if I’ve been out for a while and don’t have time to go home to wash it (ie mid-day). There’s really nothing that will fix extreme humidity or wet hair from being rained on, but I find this is a pretty good fix to refresh hair. Back in San Diego there were occasions I did skip a day of washing here and there. This is my go-to for a dry shampoo. It doesn’t have a white cast and as someone with dark hair I really hate any that make my hair look dusty, ashy or grey.
MarulaOil Rare Oil Style Extending Primer ($30 for 130 ml) this is a primer spray that’s designed to extend the life of your hair styling. It smooths and primes the hair for heat styling. On me it works to detangle wet hair. I like the way it smells and it keeps hair looking smooth and frizz free all day even with humidity.
Christophe Robin Hydrating Leave-In Mist with Aloe Vera ($39 for 150 ml) is a light detangling spray with the most amazing natural soothing scent. It really does work well as a detangler. I have a slight preference for this over the MarulaOil one although they have a similar effect.

Oils and Creams

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Blow Dry Beautifier Thermo BB Serum ($39 for 150 ml) is another favorite right now. I reviewed this back in June alongside the BB Cream. Both are really good lightweight primers for heat styling or air drying. They help keep shape but in a natural looking way. If you’re familiar with Shu Uemura Art of Hair these both have a similar effect to the Satin Design Polishing Milk but have a lighter finish/feel. If you’re more of a spray person I’d recommend the Wonder Worker. You really can’t go wrong with any of them – they’ve all performed extremely well for me as multi-tasking preheat or post styling treatments. Right now I like the BB Serum the best.
Moroccanoil Treatment Light ($15 to $44 depending on size) is one of those versatile multi-taskers that great for anything. I can use this as a a styling or finishing product. I love both the regular and light version but for summer I’ve been loving this light one to add a natural shine. I can add it to clean towel-dried hair and just let it air dry. For heat treatment it helps protect the ends and keeps it looking nice and shiny.
Verb Ghost Oil ($14 for 2 oz) is another great lightweight oil. It smells fresh and light and won’t weigh down the hair. It comes with a pump (huge plus for me) and gives the hair a fluid soft sheen.
Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil (miniature shown from Morning After Kit here and here, full size here) is something I reviewed a few months ago. I still love this for both body and hair. I like this on damp hair or on ends to add a bit of shine with a nice scent.

Hair Perfume

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Hair Mist ($65 for 70 ml) is a beautiful hair perfume. After all these years of hair mists I still haven’t tried many as I’d rather just spray perfume in my hair. This has completely changed my outlook. This one is light and soft and alcohol-free. It’s a soft floral with a bit of citrus and musk and mists the hair in a fine veil of scent. Lasting power is quite good on me – I was able to smell it even in late afternoon.

In terms of styling tools, I still haven’t found a brush that I 100% love for function and looks. Right now I use a CHI Turbo Paddle Brush which I’ve had for years and is pretty worn down. If you have any ones you love let me know in the comments. For blow dryers my go-to’s are in this post and you can also see my hair type there as well.

That wraps up my summer hair care loves! What are your current favorites right now? If you can share your hair type as well that would be super helpful 🙂 If you live in Florida or have traveled here for an extended time I’d love to hear what you’ve used or use while here!

Press samples include the Shu Uemura BB Serum, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Hair Mist, Christophe Robin Volumizing Paste, Christophe Robin Leave-In Mist, Molton Brown Seabourn Collection.

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Eye Makeup

New Eyeshadow Palettes from MAC Girls, Marc Jacobs Beauty and Kat Von D Beauty

August 14, 2017

There are some new eyeshadow palettes out and I put three to the test from MAC, Marc Jacobs Beauty and Kat Von D Beauty. At first glance the colors look really similar between the three that I have but swatching proves otherwise. They have varied undertones, different textures, finishes and pigment. I’ll say up front the new Marc Jacobs Beauty palettes win for pigment and blendability, MAC wins for the fun factor and Kat Von D is one I have mixed feelings on.

Up first is the one I had the highest hopes for which is the Kat Von D Shade and Light Glimmer Eye Contour Palette. The colors in here are just perfect but the formulas aren’t the same across the board. There are four formulas in this that Kat Von D calls:

Base Shades are soft satiny shimmers: Porcelain, Dusk and Dune
Contour Shades are perfect smooth metallics: Copper, Cinder, Rust
Define Shades are glitters: Bronze, Onyx, Jasper
Topcoat Shades are chunky glitters: Sterling, Glacier and Quartz

The Base and Contour shades are really amazing in texture and pigment. They’re velvety soft and easy to blend. The Define and Topcoat Shades are where this palette gets high maintenance. There is chunky glitter with tons of fall out in application and after application/clean up. You need to apply with either a damp brush or over a super emollient base to make the shades stick. With some glitters I find applying with a finger in a patting motion helps the shadow + glitter stick better with less fall out but with these fall out happened no matter what. If all of the shades were glitter free or in the contour formula this would have been 100% perfect. I can get it to work but it takes a LOT of extra work and clean up.

MAC launched six personality palettes in their MAC Girls Collection and I received Mischief Minx as a press sample. I stopped by the counter and was seriously tempted by Prissy Princess and Power Hungry – some other gorgeous neutrals but decided for now to stick with Mischief Minx. It has a palette of shimmers and warm shades. Pigment is medium but buildable. This one is fairly warm in undertone but easy to wear (even the orange and red shades which I mix or blend). Each shade has a name but it’s only labeled in a removable plastic insert which is easy to lose.

Swatched from left to right is: Mischief Minx (shimmering orange gold), Natural Tease (shimmering tan gold), V Frisky (light silvery gold), She-Nani-Gains (shimmering warm tan), Flaming Femme (matte rust), Schemer (satiny matte warm brown), Been There Done That (shimmering dark brown shimmer), Totally Trouble (black matte), Stride of Pride (gold peach highlighter)

Last but not least is the Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Glambition. I’m a fan of the original Style Eye Con ones and the new ones have excellent pigment and texture which are just as good as the originals. Glambition is the most neutral option and the texture is super soft with a velvety feel. Pigment is just so SO good. Color-wise this isn’t necessarily the most exciting palette but it has easy to wear mix of neutrals and bolds that just work. They also layer well together.

Colors left to right include She Was (satiny soft ivory cream shimmer), Infamous (soft rose tan matte), Known For (warm pigmented gold), Seeking (fawn brown matte), The Most (pale pink frost), Over the Top (matte warm brown), Glamour (matte black with gold flecks).

I highly recommend the MAC or Marc Jacobs palettes if you’re looking for a new one. The Marc Jacobs palettes have the best formula out of the three I tried but MAC has more fun wearable shade options to choose from. Kat Von D is one I have mixed feelings on – I still think the colors are just so good but formulas are hard to work with and super high maintenance which is not something I have the patience for. If you’re looking for a new eyeshadow palette that’s more streamlined and simple, you might want to check out the Chanel City of Lights Les 4 Ombres – I just bought it and will be reviewing soon.

I had planned to do some eye looks but I’m in the midst of a move and upcoming travel so I’m a bit limited on time for the moment. Have you tried any of these formulas yet? What did you think? In case you missed it my favorite eye shadow brushes listed in this post here.

Kat Von D Palette available at Sephora and Kat Von D Beauty.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette available at Sephora, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Neiman Marcus.
MAC Girls Palettes available at MAC, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.

MAC palette provided for review. Others purchased by me.

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What's In My Bag

What’s In My Bag + Summer Staples

August 11, 2017

Happy Friday everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve done a what’s in my bag post on the blog and I thought it might be fun to do a little bag spill. I love seeing what’s in other people’s purses – if I could peek into some of my readers I think it would be fun to see what beauty items you tote around. We’ve been doing lots of beach exploring around St. Pete Beach and Madiera Beach and I’ve been documenting our favorites here and there for an upcoming post. Sunscreen is a 100% must with the hot sun and we are constantly re-applying. My favorite is still the Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen and Andrew’s favorite is the Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector Water Light Lotion. Both last a good amount of time even with sweat + humidity. They also absorb nicely into the skin without feeling thick and you can reapply without it feeling like you’ve caked on layers of goop.

What I have in my bag:

Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen in the minis that I got as a Sephora Beauty Insider Point perk (I stocked up while I was in NY earlier in the spring, my roundup review on body sunscreens here)
Chanel Rouge Allure Ink in Lost (new for fall, review soon)
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Bradley (my favorite nude, swatched here)
Sisley Phyto Lip Twist in Baby (review + swatch here)
Glossier Wowder Brush (I ordered it from the Wowder Duo, use this referral link to save 10% off your first order)
By Terry Velvet Rouge in #1 Lady Bare
Jo Malone Nectarine and Honey Blossom Cologne mini from the Nordstrom Set, although I rotate scents frequently
YSL Volupte Tint in Balm in #3 (swatches of all my picks here)
MAC Next to Nothing Powder in Medium Plus is the best lightweight pressed powder for me right now (swatches here)
Truffle Clarity Clutch Mini in Nude
mophie powerstation charger in white
Leica Sofort Instant Film Camera was quite the splurge but 100% worth it for the fun
Gucci Marmont Card Case has held up remarkably well for months, I’m really impressed with the quality of the leather, I use this as my regular wallet these days
Tory Burch Foldable Pilot Sunglasses (they fold up into a compact case shown here)

What’s in your bag this week? Have a wonderful weekend! New posts coming soon on new launches from Becca, NARS and an eyeshadow palette round up.

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Shu Uemura Skincare

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils

August 10, 2017

I’ve rediscovered cleansing oils from Shu Uemura and they’ve become a regular part of my daily skincare routine this summer. With the heat, sunshine and humidity I have multiple layers products on my face in order to prep, moisturize, protect the skin and also and make my base last. I’ve switched up my skincare routine over the past few months since moving to Florida because I found the water dried out my skin. At the same time the increasing humidity levels cause me to sweat while I’m outside. I’ve finally re-balanced my skin and will share my full skincare routine soon – but today I have a review on all six cleansing oils from Shu Uemura. This year marks their 50th Anniversary.

I’m fairly certain that every one of my readers are already familiar with cleansing oils. In case you are not these are cleansers in oil format where you apply to a dry face then massage into the skin. You can use them on bare skin or as a makeup remover. Simply add warm water to emulsify afterwards and rinse. It’s a skincare product that allows you to remove makeup and cleanse the skin effectively in a single step. With these I only need 2 pumps to cover the entire face although they recommend 3 to 4.

For a bit of background on my skin type, I have normal skin that is on the sensitive side. I tend to double cleanse with cleansing oils or cleansing waters because I like to have my skin squeaky clean. With the Shu Uemura oils they have enough power to do a single cleanse to remove all of my face makeup. With eye makeup or lipstick I still prefer to remove that separately first with a cotton pad and bi-phase makeup remover. It’s just easier and less messy for me. Also with waterproof mascaras and long-wear shadows most cleansing oils simply don’t take it off 100%.

There are currently 7 Shu Uemura cleansing oils – I have 6 of them that I put to the test. Each one has a different formula designed to be suited to certain skin types or preferences. I found they all performed similar in terms of how well they emulsified with water and also how they removed face makeup. Some are better suited for oily skin vs. normal/dry skin and there is a noticeable difference in texture between them. Most of these come in various size options – I have the 150 ml options shown in this post.

Thoughts on each one shown above from left to right. Up first is the one I’d consider the classic which is the High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula. It’s actually “an evolved” formula of the classic with ingredients designed for waterproof make-up. This one is designed for sensitive skin and it has the most emollient medium-weight smooth feel out of the ones I tested. It leaves the skin completely clean and soft. In terms of mascara removal it didn’t take off 100% of my mascara but it was a very good first pass to remove most of it. For the face it will remove sunscreen, foundation, powder and concealer nicely without stripping the skin.

POREfinist is designed for acne-prone/oily skin but is the lightest weight option in terms of texture. This has a floral petal scent and is designed to remove excess oil and dirt from pores. For my skin it felt the strongest in terms of cleansing power. It was a bit too strong for daily use for me, but if you have oily skin this is probably the best option. This was the second best in terms of waterproof mascara removal.

Anti/Oxi+ is designed for those with aging concerns. It has moringa and green tea extracts to remove pollutants and balance the skin. This one has a fairly strong scent which my nose was a bit sensitive to. In terms of cleansing this removed all traces of makeup, mascara included without stripping the skin. The scent is a relaxing spa-like scent which is nice – but I preferred the unscented/fresh options. It does leave the skin looking completely refreshed with a smooth feel and the scent did not irritate my skin.

Blanc:Chroma is my favorite. It’s a lightweight oil with a brightening effect. On me it was the most gentle and it’s designed for combination skin. I have yet to see noticeable results for brightening with this one – I suspect it’s one that will take months and months of regular use to see visible results. I like this one for the way it makes my skin feel clean and soft.

Nutri:nectar is the newest cleansing oil from Shu Uemura and the most unique. It has a thick almost gel-like texture so it won’t slide into the eyes as easily as fluid options. It is designed for delicate skin and for me was definitely one of the most gentle feeling. It has calming Acai, magnolia to replenish and mushroom to improve resilience.

Ultime8 Sublime is the option best suited for normal/dry skin. On me this was the richest feeling option without any film. It removes all traces of face makeup and leaves the skin feeling plump and soft.

Ingredients on each of the boxes, left to right is blanc:chroma, high performance balancing cleansing oil advanced formula, nutri:nectar:

Left to right: anti/oxi+, POREfinist, ultime8 sublime

Out of all of the cleansing oils I found that Blanc:chroma worked best for me. It has a lightweight texture and soft scent that I really liked. Anti/Oxi+ was the best for makeup removal including waterproof mascara and liner. The new nutri:nectar was the most gentle. If you have any favorites from the line let me know in the comments!

You can find all the cleansing oils online at Shu Uemura. They are also offering Beauty Look Book readers a special promo 15% off + free shipping on orders with code BLBXSHU. Valid online at both Shu Uemura US and Shu Uemura Canada.

Do you have any Shu Uemura favorites? Let me know what you recommend in the comments!

Cleansing oils provided courtesy of Shu Uemura.

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